TDSAT refuses to stay spectrum allocation exercise
Telecom tribunal TDSAT on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea by GSM operator Idea Cellular to stay the process of spectrum allocation to new applicants.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Telecom tribunal TDSAT on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea by GSM operator Idea Cellular to stay the process of spectrum allocation to new applicants.
The tribunal also rejected the Aditya Birla group controlled firm's request to put a hold on the process of allotment of Unified Access Service licenses to nine firms, which have been issued Letters of Intent, till the next hearing on the spectrum issue.
During the proceedings, Idea Cellular's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi contended that in view of the submission made by the Solicitor General on January 31, the tribunal should stay the processing of LoIs.
This was objected to by Sanjay Hegde, counsel appearing for Department of Telecom, saying that the process has started and the government had already processed more than half of the applications for telecom licenses.
Agreeing with Hegde's submission, TDSAT chairman Justice Arun Kumar declined to pass an interim order and said: "I am satisfied with that."
Meanwhile, the TDSAT also issued notices to the DoT and TRAI on Idea application and directed them to submit their reply.
On January 31, DoT had submitted before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal that it would start issuing licences to all nine firms that were given LoIs on January 10.
The tribunal also rejected the Aditya Birla group controlled firm's request to put a hold on the process of allotment of Unified Access Service licenses to nine firms, which have been issued Letters of Intent, till the next hearing on the spectrum issue.
During the proceedings, Idea Cellular's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi contended that in view of the submission made by the Solicitor General on January 31, the tribunal should stay the processing of LoIs.
This was objected to by Sanjay Hegde, counsel appearing for Department of Telecom, saying that the process has started and the government had already processed more than half of the applications for telecom licenses.
Agreeing with Hegde's submission, TDSAT chairman Justice Arun Kumar declined to pass an interim order and said: "I am satisfied with that."
Meanwhile, the TDSAT also issued notices to the DoT and TRAI on Idea application and directed them to submit their reply.
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On January 31, DoT had submitted before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal that it would start issuing licences to all nine firms that were given LoIs on January 10.
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